Parents

Handbook

Our Purpose and Philosophy

The purpose of the German International School of Dallas is to provide enrolled children aged 18 months to 5 years with an environment in which they will experience loving care, receive a child-centered education, and obtain German language skills. This will be accomplished by providing developmentally appropriate activities and guidance in the German language. Our program provides the opportunity to develop the whole child. We focus on learning through child-directed play experiences and curriculum time. We believe that a balance of play and preschool enhances growth and development in all areas: physically, socially, emotionally, creatively, and intellectually.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

The German International School of Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion or national or ethnic origin in admittance, education or other administrative policies and extends to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally made available to students at German ISD.

Scope and Operating Hours

The German International School of Dallas’ preschool is a German-language preschool.
It is open to children from eighteen months to five years of age. Classes are held Monday through Friday from the middle of August through the end of May. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Children aged 18 months to 4 years can attend for a minimum of 2 up to 5 days a week.
Our pre-kindergarten class has a 3-day minimum attendance policy. If a spot is open, you may be able to add days to your child’s schedule during the school year. If you wish to decrease the number of days in which your child attends from the amount which s/he is currently enrolled, you must provide not less than four weeks written notice and the approval of the director is required. In no event will a child be permitted to attend less than the minimum attendance for the class s/he is enrolled. Afternoon care is from 3p.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Children must be registered for the afternoon program. In
exceptional cases, we allow afternoon drop-ins after prior discussion with and approval by the school director. We offer early drop-off every weekday beginning at 8 a.m.

Curriculum

German ISD uses age-appropriate programs for our toddlers and our pre-kindergarten class. Our programs focus on different developmental areas to enhance the children’s growth and learning by offering a wide selection of topics and group activities. Children are involved in hands-on experiences, real-life adventures, and assisted discovery as they explore concepts through play, learning both from and with each other.
German ISD is a place where essential skills are nurtured through play, investigation, and of course, fun!

“Elefanten” and “Giraffen” preschool groups will consist of children aged 18 months to 4 years.

Programs:

Das bin ich (language program)

In addition to the early arithmetic program Entenland, the preschool (Elefanten and Giraffen) groups will additionally use a language program, Logico, designed to develop learning and language skills.

The Pre-K, “Lion” group follows a daily structure and will focus on preparation for school. This will be achieved through the following early arithmetic, language, and writing programs:Programs:

Forschen mit Fred (science program)

Das bin ich (language program)

Zahlenland (early math program)

Würzburger Sprachprogramm (sound and grammar program)

BuchStaLa (alphabet program)

Curriculum: For our curriculum, we incorporate the “Bayrische Bildungs- und Erziehungsplan fuer Kinder in Tageseinrichtungen.” See the webpage:
The German International School is a German-language school. Therefore, all classes, activities, and work sessions will be instructed in the German language.
Parent/child relevant information will be made available in the English language for parents who do not speak German.

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Age

We accept children from 18 months to 5 or 6 yrs.

Waiting List and Fee

If parents want to enroll their child for the first time, they must be put on the waiting list if no places are immediately available. Application documents for the waiting list must be handed in together with a $ 50 non-refundable fee in order to reserve a spot. A variety of criteria determines how open spots will be given away.

Enrollment Procedures and Fees

All enrollment paperwork is required before the child can start our program, together with the fee.
A copy of the child’s immunization record must be returned with their enrollment package.

An enrollment fee will be charged for all students and is non-refundable. Parents have to pay $100- plus a $500 deposit that will be applied to the last month tuition of the school year. Enrollment for the fall term begins in the spring each year and continues throughout the year as spaces become available. A supply fee will be charged if special projects can’t be covered by the monthly supply fee which is included in the monthly payment.
When withdrawing from The German International School of Dallas, written notice is required four weeks prior to the last day of attendance or through serious illness or accident request by pediatrician/physician. If no prior notice is given, the deposit will cover this case.
Parents will be notified of policy changes or any other upcoming events in written communication from German ISD, through posted notices at the information board.

Immunization/ Medical Exam Requirements

The laws of the State of Texas require the following immunizations for all children enrolled:

DPT, MMR, OPV, HIB, HepB, HepA, PCV7, and Varicella.
If you do not want your child vaccinated we need to have an official affidavit issued by the State of Texas on file.
A record/ affidavit of your child’s immunizations must be returned with enrollment forms and any updates are to be turned into the office as soon as possible. All children are required to have a statement on file from their physician indicating they have been examined within the last year and are physically able to take part in our program. This form must be on file prior to the first day of school.
Each child must have an emergency treatment authorization on file.

Tuition/Attendance

Regular attendance is crucial to a child’s adjustment to school. Also, arriving at school on time assures that your child does not miss out on any of the activities planned for the day or disturb ongoing activities. Older children develop friendships and teacher relationships, as well as deriving greater benefit from the curriculum, when they attend as often as possible.
Therefore we offer you the opportunity to drop off your child 15 minutes before school begins at 8.45 a.m.
If your arrive later, during our morning circle time, please come in quietly so as not to disturb the other children.
The German ISD school year operates on a 9-month school year system (middle of August to end of May). Tuition is due by the 10th of each month.
A non-refundable $70 enrollment fee is charged at the time of enrollment, together with a $400 deposit. This deposit will be credited towards your tuition for the last month of the school year.
Tuition:
2 Days/week $430 per month
3 Days/week $510 per month
5 Days/week $670 per month

Tuition is required in advance on a monthly basis and is non-refundable. A late charge of $10 will be added to tuition received after the 10th of the month. Please make checks payable to German International School of Dallas.
It is not possible to offer make-up days to every student who is absent. Therefore, it is our policy not to make up class days missed due to illness, vacations, etc.

Admission to school may be denied if your payment is 30 days past due and no previous arrangements have been made.

Extended leave

If your child will not be able to participate for more than four weeks, you will receive a 50% discount for the weeks in which your child was not in attendance, which will be applied to the next school year. The discount is based on the current monthly fee of your enrollment plan. The monthly fee must be paid by the 10th of every month, regardless of attendance status. Please ask for the specific “Extended Leave” document at the office.

Confidentiality Policy

We may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as parent and student’s names, address, email, telephone number, date and place of birth, and dates of attendance. However, you have ten (10) days from the date of enrollment to request that German ISD not disclose directory information. You should not disclose such directory information about other students or families to third parties without consent.

We will never give your information to, or share your information with, any third party not affiliated with us, except as permitted by law. Further, we will disclose personally identifiable information when required by law, or if we in good-faith belief that such action is necessary to (a) comply with current judicial proceedings, a court order or legal process served on us, (b) protect and defend our rights, or (c) protect the rights, property, and other interests of our users or others.

Wherever your personal information may be held by us or on our behalf, we intend to take commercially reasonable and appropriate steps to protect the personal information that you share with us from unauthorized access or disclosure. However, given the nature of the Internet and the fact that network security measures are not infallible, we cannot guarantee the security of your information. We also make an effort to protect your information off-line.

Communication with Parents

If desired by a parent of the child, the school shall communicate with both parents of the child, unless otherwise instructed by a custody court.

Field Trips

Any excursions that we make will not involve vehicle transportation and parents will be given prior notice, to give their permission.

Holidays

Holidays and vacations will be held almost in conjunction with the Farmers Branch ISD school system. Parents must arrange alternative care for their children. You will find all of our holidays in the current school calendar.

Wellness Information

We can accept only healthy children.
We depend on our parents to help us maintain this policy. Parents whose children are found to be ill will be called to come and pick them up.
Children are to be kept home when they have exhibited any of the following symptoms within the previous 24 hour period. The school may furthermore determine whether a child exhibiting other symptoms in addition to these must be kept or sent home:

Children sent home from school with any of these symptoms are not eligible to return to class the next day (24 hour rule). This policy is for the protection of both your child as well as for the other children.

Parents will be notified when a child has been exposed to a communicable disease within German International School of Dallas. Please notify the office immediately if your child has been exposed to any contagious disease. In the case of head lice, pinkeye, or other highly contagious conditions your child must receive proper treatment and stay home for at least 3 days, or longer, if symptoms have not disappeared.

If your child becomes ill while at German International School of Dallas, you will be notified by phone and asked to come pick him/her up. Your child will be made as comfortable as possible until you arrive. Please be sure that your current phone numbers are on file in the office. The person given as emergency contact must be available and willing to come and pick up the child from the school within a short time. If there are changes to this information, notify the office immediately (in writing).

Medications and First Aid

All medications must be kept in the office. Please do not place medication in your child’s backpack. Parents must sign the Medication Log in the office authorizing the staff to administer the medicine. This must be done for each day that you wish medication to be administered.

All medication must be in the original container, be labeled with the child’s name, and include directions for administering the medication. Prescription medications must also include the expiration date and the name of the prescribing physician. German International School does not keep any medication available for use by students. German ISD will not administer any medications to children except for prescription medications for children with chronic conditions, and these can only be given to children after discussion between the parents/guardians and German ISD and with a prescription and instructions from the child’s physician.

All Staff members and caregivers (such as substitute caregivers) hold current certification in CPR and First Aid. Assistant caregivers are expected to clean any wound and apply band aids/ bandages to keep the area clean until pick up. If needed, ice packs will be applied to reduce swelling.
In case of a life threatening emergency, 911 will be called and First Aid will be applied.

Procedures for Handling Emergencies

In case of minor injury or accident, the staff will administer basic First Aid. All injuries or illnesses not requiring immediate parental notification will be documented and reported to parents when the child is picked up at the end of the day.
In case of medical injury or illness requiring immediate professional care (emergency), the staff will call 911, providing the location and nature of the emergency. As appropriate, the staff will administer CPR or First Aid measures. Parents will be notified immediately. If parents are unavailable, those individuals designated as emergency phone contacts will be notified. All children must have an emergency medical release form on file in case of such an emergency.

Vision and Hearing Screenings

All children who are 4 years of age or older must be screened for possible vision and hearing problems during the year. The results of all screenings must be on file at the office.

Parent Involvement

Parents are encouraged to participate in their child’s preschool experience in a number of ways. Several parties will be held during the year. We will put up a list asking for donations and volunteers to assist. Landscaping and maintaining a school garden and playground needs many helping hands, too. We welcome encourage parent involvement. Please contact German ISD for further information.

Parents will have opportunities to meet other parents and can be involved in making our school a great place for our children by attending our annual celebrations such as the St. Martin Lantern Parade, St. Nikolaus and Advent celebrations, Mother’s Day, Easter Party, Summer Festival, etc.

Conferences

Parents are welcome to visit any time. If you desire a conference with your child’s caregiver or with the director, please call and schedule a time to discuss your concerns. Please keep in mind that pick-up and drop-off can be hectic periods and are not the most productive for a conversation about your little one. If you have any questions or concerns about the policies or procedures of the school, please call and make an appointment to meet with the director.
In addition, German ISD reserves three weeks of the school year for parent-teacher conferences.

Birthdays

Birthdays are special occasions. If you wish to observe this special day at school, please discuss this in advance with your child’s teacher. Let him/her know if you plan to bring any special treats for all children. We appreciate if you bring cupcakes or a cake for all children to share. We are happy if parents participate in this kind of event.

Parties

All holidays and parties will be announced in the school calendar at the beginning of the school year. Children may only participate in parties that are scheduled on the days of the week on which the child is enrolled.

Water Activities

You must give us your written consent that your child is allowed to participate in water activities such as playing in a wading pool or playing with a water table.
Children will be supervised by our staff at all times while involved in water activities according to the requirements of the State of Texas.

Inclement Weather

The decision for a closing, later beginning, or early release due to inclement weather will be based on the Farmers Branch and Carrollton ISD inclement weather procedures.
Information regarding bad weather days in our district can be found at the link below. In addition, German ISD will always inform you via email.
http://www.cfbisd.edu

Discipline

German ISD staff are trained to use a positive method of discipline and guidance that encourages self-esteem, self-control, and self direction. Just a few examples used in this situation are: praise and encouragement of good behavior instead of focusing only upon unacceptable behavior; reminding a child of behavioral expectations daily by using clear, positive statements and redirecting behaviors. There may be times during the day when a supervised separation time is needed. This is a “time-out” and is used according to the child’s age and development and limited to one minute per year of the child’s age. German ISD staff will never use corporal punishment or negative discipline that may hurt or humiliate a child.
Giving children understandable guidelines and redirecting their behavior helps them to develop internal control of their actions and encourages acceptable behavior. German ISD reserves the right to terminate care for a child for discipline problems at any time.

Food/Nutrition

We will provide a breakfast snack such as bread/crackers and fruits to all children every morning. Children will have family-style lunch in the form of bread with meat, cheese, dairy products, vegetables, fresh fruits, etc. Snacks and drinks will be made available to the children. If your child is attending the after school program, an afternoon snack is provided as well. All daily nutrition requirements will be served.
We firmly believe that by setting the table and having a meal all together, the children profit from the warm family-like atmosphere, conversations and communication at the table, and exercising age- and developmental-appropriate responsibilities and tasks (such as putting their dishes away).

Preparing For the School Day

Children must be wearing clothing that they can easily take on and off themselves. This is essential for your child’s comfort and independence and ensures he/she does not have to worry about staying clean and that he/she can go to the lavatory with minimal assistance from the caregiver (if already potty trained). To climb safely, run quickly, and have fun, your child must wear shoes daily that fit well and grip the ground securely. Children may only wear closed-toe shoes. NO flip-flops allowed! All shoes and clothing, including a change of clothes, must be labelled.
Please dress your child weather appropriately at all times and provide clothing for all weather conditions (e.g. raincoats, rain boots, etc.).
Please bring a labelled water bottle for your child everyday, containing only water! Take it home daily to clean it and bring it back filled with fresh water the next day. No juice or other beverages should be in the water bottles.

Your child should bring at least two complete labelled changes of clothing to school in a sturdy tote bag or backpack. Please bring a blanket, pillow, and sheet for nap time. These must be taken home at the end of each week and be washed.
Make sure to provide diapers and wipes also. We urge you not to allow your child to bring toys from home. We have an adequate assortment of toys available for the children to share. Exceptions are a labelled stuffed animal for nap time and a toy for our show & tell.
Please do not allow your child to bring candy or gum to school.

Arrival

Class begins at 9 a.m. and the children should be accompanied to the classrooms of German ISD by a parent or designated adult. Children may not be left in the classroom unless there is a teacher present. Do not drop off your child outside and let him/her go into the school by him-/herself. Please accompany your child all the way to the classroom.
We offer Early Bird Care everyday beginning at 8 a.m., the fee for which is to be included in your monthly fee. Advanced notice for early drop-off needs to be given to the caregiver. If you are signed up for early drop-off, we will charge you even if you drop off later than you arranged.

Dismissal and Release

Please pick up your child promptly at 3 p.m. The children will wait in the hallway accompanied by a caregiver while they wait to be picked up. From Monday through Friday we offer a late pick up time until 6 p.m., which includes an additional fee. Since our staff has other responsibilities in the afternoons, please make sure you are on time.
For every additional minute of late pick up, beginning 10 minutes after the official pick-up time (i.e. until 3:10 p.m.), we will charge $1.
If your child should ever need to be picked up by anyone other than persons stated on your registration forms, please notify the German International School of Dallas in writing. Advise the person that they must present their driver’s license before the child will be released to them. Please pick up your child’s papers and projects daily.

Parent Responsibility

Sign up sheet: children must be signed in and out by the custodial parent or adult person approved by the parent(s). Parents who fail to sign children in or out may be charged a $5 penalty for each occurrence.

Please communicate any concerns regarding our program or your child to staff immediately

Pick up and read the notices and information left for you in your child’s folder

Pick up your child’s papers/projects daily. Their work is very important to them and provides another means of communication between parent and child.

Withdrawal from School Program

One month’s written notice must be given for withdrawing a child from German ISD. German ISD has the right to refuse service to any family for any reason.
Custody Situations
German ISD prefers NOT to get involved with custody disputes. German ISD will follow a court order exactly as written. If your family has a court order on file, please provide us with the most recent copy.
Please note: Per State law, in the absence of a court order, both parents have equal rights. With this being said, it is imperative that a certificate may be requested at the Director’s discretion.

Diapers / Changing

Due to sanitary reasons and to prevent the spread of bacteria, German ISD only allows the use of disposable diapers/pull-ups while children are at school.

Gang Free Zone

Under the Texas Penal Code, any area within 1000 feet of a child-care center is a gang-free zone, where criminal offenses related to organized criminal activity are subject to harsher penalty.

Breastfeeding Friendly Area

German International School of Dallas supports all mothers who want to breastfeed their children at our school. We will provide a quiet place where you can sit and breastfeed or provide breast milk. Please ask for a pillow, step stool, or anything else you feel would give you and your child comfort.

Cyber Identity / Social Networking Websites / Phone Calls

Cyber identity and social networking is very exciting these days. However, please understand that employees of German ISD are prohibited from participating in social networking with parents and children. This includes, but is not limited to Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace.
Any phone calls you want to make regarding questions and concerns about your child can be made during our teachers’ work hours. Please call the school phone at 214-507-0130.

Biting

Biting is a common issue in early child development. The best way to deal with biting is consistency between providers and parents. Biting could occur for multiple reasons. Proper communication will help determine why a child is biting. German ISD will work with parents when biting becomes a problem. We will make every effort to solve the issue as soon as possible.

Contact information

Copies of the Rules of Minimum Standards for Registered and Licensed Child-Care Homes are available in the office for parents to review along with the childcare facility’s most recent registered inspection report.
Parents can contact their child care local licensing office by calling 214-583-4253.
The child abuse hotline for Texas can be reached by calling 1-800-252-5400. The web site for the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services is
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/child_care/about_child_care_licensing/

Welcome to German ISD

Address: 12411 Templeton Trail Farmers Branch, TX 75234

Email: michaela@german-isd.com

Phone: (1) 214-507-0130

The German International School of Dallas admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It welcomes students from all backgrounds and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school- administered programs.